UV crime: Grinches are out and pot is in the air

Air marijuana

A man from Orem was arrested after police say he flew a plane containing $1.2 million worth of marijuana — a total of 242 pounds — across the country. Authorities searched the plane in New Castle, Pa., and then let him to continue his journey.

Ken Barton Burrows, 53, was reportedly delivering the drugs to Rhode Island. The recipient also was arrested.

Trials for alleged killers

Strider Diem of Orem is scheduled for a murder trial in May. The 34-year-old is accused in the June beating death of his 79-year-old stepfather Melvin Rowley.

Another accused killer, Salem resident Tracy Scott, will stand trial in April for reportedly shooting and killing his wife in March.

Drive-thru robbery

On Tuesday evening, a white man in a sedan drove up to the Taco Time drive-thru on 2230 North in Provo, showed the employee a gun and demanded money.

He got the cash drawer and drove away. Witnesses say he had light hair, a goatee and mustache.

Fatal DUI crash

A man visiting Springville from North Carolina was killed in a car crash on Sunday, and the man who caused the crash was arrested on a DUI charge. The accident happened at 1400 N. Main St. in Springville.

Worth R. Rummage was driving a Honda Accord when Springville resident Bryan Long, who was driving a Jeep Liberty, ran a red light and hit him. He died at the hospital. Long didn’t sustain serious injuries.

Watch out for the Grinch

Packages are stolen from porches year-round, but the thefts are especially hard at Christmastime. Holiday package-thefts have been reported around the country, all over Utah and in Utah Valley. On Tuesday in northeast Orem, another home was hit.

Amie Rose has more than 14 years of experience writing and editing at newspapers in Utah and New Mexico. She graduated from BYU with a degree in journalism. She lives in Utah Valley with her husband, toddler and crazy dog.